Target trap



Aug. 2@, 1935. A, E A ZUELEQ TARGETTRAP Filed Sept. 50, 1932 2 Sheets-Shget- 1 MwA/v,

Ange 1935- I A. SHERMAN 2,011,830

.TARGET TRAP I Filed Sept 50, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 20, 1935 Ltihtfit PATENT orries TARGET TRAP Louie A. Sherman, Alton, Ill., assignor to Western Cartridge Company, East Alton, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application September 30, 1932, Serial No. 635,550 18 Claims. (01. 1243) This invention pertains to target traps, such as are used for launching targets known as clay pigeons for trap shooting.

It is desirable that the direction of flight of the target be'uncertain so that the marksmans skill in judging the flight and quickly adjusting his aim may be put to the test. Attempts have been. made heretofore to construct targettraps which will automatically change the direction in which the target is launched between throws. Most of these devices are subject to the defect that the automatic mechanism for adjusting the direction of throw is so constructed that its operations follow a certain cycle. Accordingly an experienced marksman working with a given trap is often able to learn the sequence of directions peculiar to that trap. This enables him to forecast with some certainty. the'direction in which the next target is to be launched and, therefore, gives him an advantage over a competitor.

' One of the objects of this invention is to provide a target trap with means for varying the direction of throw such that this variation takes place in a haphazard manner and without in any way following a definite cycle.

throw arm is applied to changing the directioncf the next throw.

Another object is toprovide mechanism whereby the energy of swing of the throw arm is ap-' plied for this purpose and by which the phase of application of that energy maybe varied in an irregular manner.

Another object is to provide means whereby this energy may be applied in different directions. Another object is to provide such mechanism capable of adjustment as to the breadth and direction of'the field within which the targets are launched.

Another object is to provide such mechanism with means whereby the setting and releasing of the throw arm may be carried out without inter-.

Referring now to the drawings l designates a base upon which the entire mechanism is mounted; This base is provided with a central bearing 2, see Figure 4, in which is swiveled the spindle 3 of a bracket 4. Thebracket i is thus enabled to swivel on the base I. Pivoted at 5 on the bracket -l is a support 6 for the target throwing mechanism. The support ii is provided with an arcuate slot 1 engaging a bolt 8 on the bracket 4. This connection permits pivotal adjustment of the support 6 about the pivot 5 so as to adjust the vertical angle at which the target is launched.

Mounted in suitable bearings 9 at the upper end of the support 6 is a shaft it. This shaft carries at its upper end a target throwing arm M. The arm ll carries at its swinging end a target holder 52 adapted to receive a target i3. A strong spring l4 adjustably anchored by a bolt E5 or the like to the support 6 is connected at its other end to'a crank arm it on the shaft 50. This spring is adapted to tension the arm H for rotary movement on the shaft H] in' order to launch the target. The shaft it has fixed thereto a drum H on which rides a chain 93 attached to a setting lever is pivoted at 20 onthe support 6. By pulling a-rod 26 attached to the lever is the operator may tension the chain i8 so as to rotate the shaft 19 in order to swing the arm ii rearwardly to its set position as shown in Figure 1 and at the same time stretch the spring it. When the arm I l reaches its set position a catch 22 on the arm ll engages a sear 23 on the sup port 6 to retain the arm in set position. The

lever l9 has pivotedthereto at 24 a trigger hav ing arm 25 positioned for engagement with a solid abutment 26 on the support 6 when the lever I9 is moved to the right; Figure 1. The other arm 21 of the trigger is adapted for en gagement with the rear end 28 of the sear 23. Accordingly when the operator pushes to the right, Figure 1, on the rod 2| the lever it forces the trigger arm 25 into engagement with the abutment 25. This causes the trigger to pivot at 24 .so as to bring the arm 2? against the end 28 so as to move the sear 23 todisengage the justment on the bearing 2 is a plate 29 provided with a rearward projection of sector form provided with teeth on the horizontal face thereof and -with a series of ratchet teeth or notches 3! on the circumferential edge thereof. Mounted for circumferential adjustment on the opposite end of the plate 29 is a half collar 32 secured by studs 33 to the plate 29 and equipped with a pair of outwardly projecting horns 34. Pivoted at 35 on the base I is a pair of levers 36 whose outer ends are connected by a. tension spring 31 and whose inner ends are positioned to engage the horns 34 as illustrated in Figure 3. A pair of stops 33 on the base I limits the movement of the levers 39 so as center the same with reference to the base I. It will be seen that by engagement of the levers 36 with the horns 34 the plate 29 is yieldingly centered on the base I by said levers. said plateis centered may be varied by adjustment of the collar 32.

The bracket 4 is provided with a vertical bore in which is mounted for sliding movement a pawl 39 adapted to engage the teeth 39. A spring 46 presses this pawl into engagement with said teeth. The pawl 39 has fixed thereto a pin 4i projecting through a slot 42 in the bracket 4. This pin is engaged between the forked ends of a hell-crank lever 43 pivoted at 44 on the bracket 4 The upper end of the bell crank 43 is connected by a chain 45"to the lever I9.

With the parts in normal position the spring 49' forces the pawl 39 into engagement with the teeth 39 so as to lock the bracket 4 to the plate When the rod 2 1 is pushed to the left, Figure 2, in order to release the throw arm Ii the chain 45 operates the bell crank 43 to raise the pawl 39 out of engagement with the teeth. Under these conditions the bracket 4 is free to swivel on the base i.

The bracket 4 has a rearwardly projecting lug 45 on the underside of which is pivoted at 41 a double end pawl 48. This pawl has projecting teeth 49 adapted for engagement in the notches of the ratchet 3|. Pivot-ed at 54 to the rear of the pawl 48 is a spring pressed keeper whose other end is pivoted at 52 to the rear tip of the lug 4 5. The keeper 5| is thus adapted to press one of the teeth 49 of the pawl yieldingly into engagement with the ratchet 3|. By rotating the pawl 48 on its pivot 41 the keeper 5| may be forced past its dead center'position so as to press the other one of the teeth 49 into engagement with the ratchet. Accordingly the direction of action of the pawl 48 may be reversed in this manner. Whichever tooth 49 is in engagement with the ratchet, movement of the bracket'4 relative'to the plate 29 in one direction will be prevented while movement in the opposite direction will be permitted by dragging of the pawl over the ratchetteeth. At each end of the ratchet 3i there is adjustably mounted'a dog 53.

These dogs'are positioned to be engaged by the angularly with respect to the plate 29 in one direction only until the limitof movement in that direction has been reached. After that the action of the pawl is reversed and the bracket 4 may be shifted in the opposite direction until the other iimit is reached when the action is again reversed. l The operation of this mechanism to vary the position of the trap may now bedescribed-In the normal positon of the partsthe pawl 39 is in engagem nt with the teeth 33. This fixes the position of the trap with reference to' the plate 29. the action of the spring 31 on the: levers 36. The trap is, therefore, set to launch the target in a The exact position in. which The plate 29 is yieldingly centered by definite direction. In order to set the throw arm II the operator now pulls to the right, Figure 2, on the rod 2! If the bracket}! is not in alinementwith the direction of this pull, it will be swiveled on the base in response to the pull, one or the other of the levers 36 yielding to permit the plate 29 to turn. Accordingly the trap is pulled into alinement with the rod 2! until the throw arm H is set. The bar 2! is now released and the spring 37 actuates the levers 35 to re center theplate 29. This returns the trap to its original'throwing position.

In order to spring the trap the operator now pushes to the left, Figure 2, on the rod 2!. This releases the sear 23 as above described and permits the arm H to swing on the shaft Hi in response to the pull of the spring 54. It will be understood that the arm I I when released sweeps forward with a considerable force. Its movement is a quick rotation about the shaft 19. In this movement the arm changes from the position shown in Figure 1 to a position substantially in prolongation of the frame 63 on the opposite side of the pivot shaft I 9. It is believed that a somewhat complicated set of forces is active between the arm H and the frame 6 during this swing. These forces include not only the centrifugal force of the arm H but an inertia reaction due to the very rapid acceleration of the arm ii.

The direction of action of each of these forces is variable according to the swing of the arm so that it is diificult to trace completely their interaction; Suffice it to say that the net reaction results in a force tending to swing the frame 6 clockwise in Figure 2. This force is delivered to the frame as a sudden kick. There may also at times be a force acting to swing the'frame in the opposite direction as the arm II is arrested in extended position at the end of its swing. In either case there is a strong force which acts to kick the frame in a clockwise direction as seen in Figure 2. Accordingly the energy of swing of the arm- H delivers this lateral impulse to the frame so as to shift it on the base. Such a shift would take the form of a rotation about the pivot-3 if the frame were not restrained by the ratchet mechanism.

The releasing movement of the rod 25 which springs the trap causes the chain 45 to operate the bell crank 43 so as to lift the pawl 39 out of engagement with the rack teeth 36. Accordingly the bracket 4 is unrestrained by this pawl as far as its swiveling movement is concerned. Said bracket is, however, still under the control of the pawl 48. one direction while permitting movement in the opposite direction. Accordingly when this lateral force above described comes into action in such direction that the pawl 48 will drag over the teeth of the ratchet, the bracket 4 will shift angularly on the plate 29. The extent of such shiftwill depend upon the strength of the forcein action.

Assuming that the pawl 48 is set in such a position as to permit movement of the frame 6 to the right, Figure 2, such movement will cause the pawl 48 to drag over the ratchet teeth. The energy delivered to the frame by the swing of the arm isusually more than sufiicient to cause a movement of this pawl over the entire length of the ratchet. -Accordingly when the pawl 49 reaches the limit of its movement, it is snapped by center by one of the dogs 53 and the tooth 49 engages the last of the exposed teeth 3!. This restrains further movement of the frame in this This pawl prevents movement in l direction relative to the plate 29. There is still, however, some energy of movement of the frame 6 to be dissipated before theframe isbrought to rest. As the plate 29 is yieldingly centered on its pivot by the levers 36 and they spring 31, this residual energy is now transferred to the spring I 37 by the movement of the plate 29 on its pivot under the impact of the pawl 48', against the teeth 3!. Accordingly the spring 31 receives and stores up the residual energy of the movement 7 of the frame as the latter isbrought to rest at thelimit of its movement. As soon as the frame comes to rest, the spring 3! acts to recenter the plate 29 on thebase. V The result of this is to deliver to the frame 6 an impulse tending to move it in the opposite direction to that in which it has just been moving. Since the action of the pawl 38 with the dog 53, just described, has operated to reverse said pawl, the latter is now in position to permit movement in the new direction. If the energy of the impulse delivered by thespring Si is sufiicient, the frame may now make a complete swing in the opposite direction until the pawl 68 is brought up against'the other dog 53, which again acts to reverse the pawl 48 andthereby limit the swing of the frame in this direction.

The original energy of the kick delivered to the frame 6 is usually sufiicient to cause the same to swing back and forth several times through the full sweep of the pawl 48 over its ratchet. It will be noted that each time the frame is arrested in its swing, the residual energy of itsmovement is transferred to a spring 31, whereby it is stored up until the parts have been set for a reversal of movement, whereupon this stored energy is re.

turned to the frame to cause it to move in the opposite direction. It will be clear that'this repeated reversal of movement will continue until all the energy of the original kick has been dissipated in the friction of the various moving parts. It will be understood, of course, that if, at the moment of release of the arm, the pawl 43 is set against the direction of movement in which the first kick is delivered, the residual energyv transferred to the spring 3! may include substantially the entire energy of the original kick. All of these movements take place rapidly and are usually completed before the rod 2| is returned to its neutral position. Upon such re- The pawl as may come to rest after a given action in any position on its ratchet. The amount of energy delivered to the frame 6 is variable as the throwing arm, of course, does not always deliver precisely the sameamount of energy to the frame. The amount of energy lost in friction is variable between one operation and the next. The amount of energy received and stored by the spring 3i varies both with the amount of energy originally delivered to the frame, and with the initial position of the pawl 48 relative to its ratchet. Accordingly the extent of movement back and forth of the frame is ,uncertain and there. can be no definite sequence .of positions taken by said frame.

As the frame may come to rest with the pawl 18 in any position on its ratchet, the phase of application of the initial force delivered by the throwing arm tothe frame varies in its relation to the phase of movement to the frame.

This also renders the exact amount of movement.

uncertain from one operation'to the next.

1 It will be seen, therefore, that the direction and extent of the shift will depend upon the phase of application of the energy of the swing, 3

upon the direction in which the trap is set to move. and upon theinitial position of the trap. Thus many factors combine to determine the extent and direction of the shift, and, therefore, the new position: from which the next target will be launched. Under such conditions, the sequence of positions taken up by the trap will be very irregular. In fact there is no definite sequence of positionsbut they follow one another in a perfectly haphazard manner. mechanism acts so as to free the trap for shift ing movement in either one of the directions during the swing of the throw arm and'thear rangements are such that the energy of that swing is applied in a variable manner to shift the trap. After shifting, the trap is yieldingly retained in its shifted position. Accordingly the resetting movement for the throw arm may be carried out without disarranging the setting of the trap for direction.

While in describing the'operation of this trap, a certaintheory of operation has'been advanced, it is understood that such theory has been used only to assist in clarifying the description. This theory, however, is not advanced as the only true theory nor is the invention, as defined by the appended claims, to be restricted to any particular theory of operation;

While this trap has been described as a unitary instrument, it will be understood, of course, that certain individual features or sub-combinations thereof may be useful by themselves without referenceto other features or the rest of the combination. It is understood that the employment of such individual features or sub-combi-. nations is contemplated by this invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

It'is further obvious that various changes may be made, within the scope'of the appended claims, in the details of construction and operation without departing from the spirit of this invention;

it is to be understood, therefore, that this in vention is not limited to-the specific details shown and/or described. 7

Having thus described the claimedis: a

1. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including ,a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base,

"and controlling means adapted to apply theenergy of a single swing of said arm to shift said mechanism on said base through a plurality of full strokes in different-directions.

2. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, and controlling means adapted to apply the energy of a single swing of said arm to shift said mechanism on said base through a: plurality of,

strokes alternately in opposite directions.

3. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism shiftable on said base, con- The invention, what is trolling means for said mechanism movable on said base, means adapted to position said mechanism relatively to said controlling means, and yielding means adapted to center said controlling means on said base.

5. A target trap, comprising, a base, 'target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably. mounted on said base, controlling means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift said mechanism on'said base,'and shift-delaying means adapted to vary' the time phase of application of such energy. 6. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing 'mechanism including a .swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing "of a said arm to shift said mechanism, means adapted to limit the extent of movement of said mechanism, and means adapted to receive and store up the residual energy of movement of said mechanism at the limit of movement.

7. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift said mechanism, means adapted to limit the extent of movement of said mechanism, and means adapted to receive and store up the residual energy of movement of said mechanism at the limit of movement and thereafter to return such stored energy to said mechanism.

8. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift said mechanism, means for changing the direction of shift, and means adapted to receive and store up the residual energy of movement of said mechanism during the change of direction. I

9. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift said mechanism,'means for changing this direction of shift, and means adapted to receive and store up the residual energy of movement of said mechanism during the change of direction and to return such residual energy to said mechanism for movement in the new direction. 7

10. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable.

means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said' arm to shift said mechanism, controlling means adapted alternately to release said mechanism for movement on said base and to restrain such movement, and means adapted to receive and store up the residual energy of movement of said mechanism when so restrained and to return such energy upon release of said mechanism.

a swingable 4 112. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift said mechanism, means adapted tolimit the extent of movement of said mechanism, and a resilient element adapted to receive and store up the residual energy of movement of said mechanism-when so restrained and thereafter to return such energy.

13. A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm toshift said mechanism, means for changing the direction of shift, and a resilient element adapted to receive and store up the residual energy of movement of said mechanism during the change of direction.

14.A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing'arm' shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift said mechanism, controlling means adapted alternately to release said mechanism for'm'ovenient on said base and to restrain such movement, and a resilient element adapted to receive and store up the residual energy of movement of-said mechanism when so restrained and to return such energy upon release of said mechanism. 1

"15;'A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably'mounted on said base,

means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to'shift said mechanism, a pivoted controlling-element, means adapted to effect a variable connection between said mechanism and said element, and resilient means for positioning said element 1 -16.'A target trap, comp-rising, a base, target throwing mechanism throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift'said mechanism, a pivoted controlling element, means adapted to effect a progressively variable'connection between said mechanism and said element, and resilient means for positioning said element.

17. A target trapfcomprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted'to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift said mechanism, a pivoted controlling element, means adapted to effect a progressively variable connection between said mechanism and said element, means for reversing the progression thereof, and resilient means for pcsi-' tioning said element.

18 A target trap, comprising, a base, target throwing mechanism including a swingable throwing arm shiftably mounted on said base, means adapted to apply the energy of swing of said arm to shift said mechanism, a pivoted controlling element, means adapted to effect a progressively variable connection between said mechanism and said element, means forreversing the progression thereof means for locking said mechanism to said controlling element, and resilient means for positioning said element.

LOUIE A. SHERMAN.

including a swingable' 

